The health care reform bill passed tonight in the House, 220-215. It’s not a fantastic bill, but it will save lives, and that is the bottom line. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Congress and the Democrats for finally getting something done that is meaningful. Nancy Pelosi deserves credit for getting this thing through the House also. Just enjoy this one moment.
One Republican voted for it and other Republicans were quick to point out that this means it’s not “bipartisan.” Fine. We are over thinking that matters, actually. We’re at the point where ramming something through is just fine. Bipartisanship is completely overrated, especially when that other party is wrong about everything.
Several Democrats voted against it, and at this point, I’m not sure why. I suspect because it’s not single payer, which we need, or on the part of others in Congress, because they feel it goes too far. Everyone will never be satisfied. But the end result is that we are closer to having real health care reform than ever, and this time we have to give credit to the Democrats, who seem to be the only political party who give a damn about the American people. The Republicans sure as hell don’t. If you are under any illusions that Republicans care at all about the people of this country, listen to their constant objections as the Democrats tried to move this bill forward. It was their highest moment of shame in Congress this year so far, and that’s saying a lot because they have repeatedly shamed their party and country in 2009.
As far as improving this bill, that will happen. We start with small steps with health care, get this passed, and eventually, in five years or maybe 10, we will have single payer health care. The Republicans were right about one thing, this is putting us on the road to single-payer (’socialized’) health care, as the Veterans have, as the Congress has, as Medicare already provides, and that’s a good thing. Bring it on. As for this bill finally passing the House, HELL YEAH.
Credit where credit is due — good job, Democrats. The bill is not enough for those who need insurance NOW, and it gives away too much to the existing health insurance industry, but nothing bad dies overnight. The for-profit health care industry will eventually be phased out and we will get what we need/want, because the Republican party suffered another death knell with the passage of this bill. That makes it worth it even more.
Will this finally shut up Rep. Michele Bachmann by taking away one of her two issues? (The other appears to be ACORN). Unfortunately, I doubt it. Nothing shuts up fame whores for long. The only way for Minnesota to shut her up is to vote her out of office next year, and we plan to do that. (In fact, rest assured, we are determined.)
Now I have a message for Democrats. Get this thing passed through the Senate, and move on. We need climate legislation passed ASAP.
Finally, a ray of hope. I know people are disappointed about this or that provision, especially the reworking of the Hyde Amendment, but this is still a huge achievement. So many millions of Americans will be better of for it. On to the Senate. As for climate change, well, we’ll have to see on that one.
Scares Willy!
10-4 Willy
Get a grip, Willy. Not all that scares you is scary.
lmao. We need climate legislation passed asap? What, before the record snowfall in Nebraska melts? Or before 2010 since America has awakened?
@Steve: Interesting you should mention snowfall in Nebraska. Higher precipitation is a well-known sign of climate change.
Up here in Minnesota, where it’s normally cold in the winter, we have had a very warm November. 50’s, 60’s F temps, when normally the temps are about 20 to 30 degrees below that. Funny how climate change isn’t really indicated by local weather patterns though… but it is indicated by warming trends, like we have seen here in MN for years. Snowfall indicates climate change, so if you are trying to make an argument against its existence, you have failed.
As for America awakening, yeah, that happened after George Bush fucked up the country for 8 long years. That’s why Republicans were rejected last fall and will be again rejected in 2010. We’re going to especially get rid of all the crazy ones, like Michele Bachmann, next year, and not a day too soon.
My Congressman, Scott Murphy, a first term Democrat, did not vote for the bill. He is filling the seat that Kirsten Gillibrand held before she was chosen to replace Hillary Clinton as senator from New York.
I was astonished that Murphy, elected as a Democrat, did not support the bill. I agree that it has many flaws, but it is a step in the right direction. I urged him to vote for the bill and and I will continue to urge him to vote for the final, joint bill that emerges after the senate votes.
We need meaningful health care reform now. Anything less is a defeat for President Obama, the Democratic party, and the American people.
As Paul Krugman says, “We need a better government than we’ve got.”
@John Tedder:
Paul Krugman is right!
Scott Murphy must have some conservative pressure on him. Look at Joe Lieberman– he said his conscience could not let him vote for a bill with a public option. I think Lieberman’s conscience needs some repairing because it’s totally malfunctioning.